External quick connect modular plug for a wiring device

ABSTRACT

The modular electrical wiring device includes an electrical wiring device and an external plug that is electrically coupled by one or more wires to the wiring device. The modular plug is releasably coupled to a connector in a male-female relationship. Both the modular plug and connector include internal contacts for electrically coupling one to the other. The connector is electrically coupled to and terminates one or more building wires, which are used to provide power to one or more of the wiring devices. The external plug is removably coupled to the connector to provide electrical power to the wiring device by establishing and electrical pathway from a source of electrical power, through the building wires, the connector and the modular plug to the wiring device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. Patent Application No. 12/627,487,titled “External Quick Connect Modular Plug For A Wiring Device,” filedNov. 30, 2009, the entirety of which is incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to electrical installation andmaintenance. More specifically, the present invention relates to theinstallation and maintenance of electrical wiring devices that includean external plug for quick connection to in-wall wiring.

BACKGROUND

Installing electrical wiring and electrical wiring devices, including,but not limited to, receptacles, switches, transient voltage surgesuppressors (TVSS), ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI),thermostats, timer devices, and sensors and the like, in buildings isvery labor intensive. Skilled electricians are often needed to completethe installation. For large scale installations, the need for skilledelectricians results in a significant financial outlay.

The installation process is typically split into two phases, a “rough-inphase” and a “trim-out phase.” During rough-in, electrical wiring isrouted throughout the building. Device boxes are installed at variouspoints in the building. These device boxes house one or more types ofelectrical wiring devices. For conventional wiring installations, theelectrical wiring is routed through an opening formed in the device box,making the wire leads visible and accessible for the trim-out portion ofthe project.

During trim-out, an electrical wiring device is coupled to the exposedwire leads in the device box. In conventional electrical installations,the wire leads are stripped to expose the conductive electrical wires.The electrical wiring device is then electrically coupled to thestripped wire leads using a jumper, such that one end of the jumper iselectrically coupled to the exposed wire leads forming a pigtailconnection and the other end of the jumper is terminated to theelectrical wiring device using a wire nut. During this process, eachexposed wire lead must be electrically coupled to the electrical wiringdevice in this manner. Typically this means a hot wire conductor iscoupled to a hot wire contact for the electrical wiring device, aneutral wire conductor is coupled to a neutral wire contact for theelectrical wiring device, and a ground wire conductor is coupled to aground wire contact for the electrical wiring device. Those of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that, while one example has beenprovided for the wire connections completed during the rough-in andtrim-out phases, other wiring designs exist based on the electricaldesign for the building and user preferences. For example, theelectrical wiring and the devices connected thereto can be configured totransmit three-phase power.

Following proper procedures, when work is being conducted on theelectrical wiring device, whether it be during installation,maintenance, or preventative maintenance, the power should be turned offat the circuit breaker box to ensure that the exposed conductiveelectrical wires and the contacts disposed on the electrical wiringdevice are not live. However, proper procedures are not always followedand the power is not always turned off, thereby creating a hazardousenvironment for the person that is replacing and/or maintaining theelectrical wiring device. This could be due to lack of care or the factthat the person performing the electrical work does not know whichcircuit breaker should be turned off.

SUMMARY

According to one exemplary embodiment, a modular electrical wiringdevice can include an electrical wiring device, an external plug, and atleast one electrical wire. The electrical wire can have a first end anda second end. The first end of the electrical wire can be coupled to thewiring device and the second end of the wire can be coupled to theexternal plug.

According to another exemplary embodiment, an electrical wiring systemcan include a modular electrical wiring device and a connector. Themodular electrical wiring device can include an electrical wiringdevice, an external plug, and at least one electrical wire. Theelectrical wire can have a first end and a second end. The first end ofthe electrical wire can be coupled to the wiring device and the secondend of the wire can be coupled to the external plug. The electrical wirecan provide an electrical pathway between the electrical wiring deviceand the external plug. The connector can be electrically coupled to atleast one building electrical wire. The building electrical wire cantransmits power from a power source to the connector. The connector canbe physically coupled to the external plug. This physical coupling ofthe connector and modular plug can create an electrical pathway from thebuilding wire through the connector, modular plug and electrical wire tothe electrical wiring device.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a method for installingelectrical wiring can include installing at least one buildingelectrical wire. The building wire can be electrically coupled to aconnector. The connection between the building wire and the connectorcan be achieved by providing the connector with one or more electricalwires that a coupled to the connector. The method can further includeproviding a modular electrical wiring device having an electrical wiringdevice, the external plug, and at least one electrical wire. Theconnector can be coupled to the external plug. The electrical wire canhave a first end and a second end. The first end of the electrical wirecan be coupled to the wiring device and the second end of the wire canbe coupled to the external plug. The electrical wire can provide anelectrical pathway between the electrical wiring device and the externalplug.

These and other aspects, features, and embodiments of the invention willbecome apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art uponconsideration of the following detailed description of illustratedembodiments exemplifying the best mode for carrying out the invention aspresently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionin conjunction with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1A is a rear perspective view of an electrical wiring system inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an electrical wiring system inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the electrical wiring system of FIGS.1A and 1B in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the external plug and connector of FIGS.1A, 1B, and 2 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the connector in accordance with anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of an alternative connector inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a feed-through connector inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative external plug andconnector in accordance with another exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a system view illustrating two electrically installed modularelectrical wiring devices in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

The drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of the invention andare therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, as theinvention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The elementsand features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principlesof exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Additionally, certaindimensions may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles.In the drawings, reference numerals designate like or corresponding, butnot necessarily identical, elements throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to electrical wiring devices and theirinstallations. In particular, the application is directed to modularelectrical wiring devices having an external plug and theirinstallations. Although the description of exemplary embodiments isprovided below in conjunction with a particular type of modularelectrical wiring device, alternate embodiments of the invention may beapplicable to other types and configurations of modular electricalwiring devices. The invention may be better understood by reading thefollowing description of non-limiting, exemplary embodiments withreference to the attached drawings, wherein like parts of each of thefigures are identified by like reference characters, and which arebriefly described as follows.

FIG. 1A is a rear perspective view of an electrical wiring system 100that includes a modular electrical wiring device 110 and a connector 160not yet coupled to the modular electrical wiring device 110 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 1B is a perspective viewof an electrical wiring system 100 that includes a modular electricalwiring device 110 and a connector 160 not yet coupled to the modularelectrical wiring device 110 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the electrical wiring system 100 ofFIGS. 1A and 1B where the modular electrical wiring device 110 iscoupled to the connector 160 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, the electrical wiring system 100includes a modular electrical wiring device 110 that couples to aconnector 160.

The modular electrical wiring device 110 includes an electrical wiringdevice 120 and an external plug 150 electrically coupled to theelectrical wiring device 120. According to this exemplary embodiment,the electrical wiring device 120 is a receptacle wiring device. However,according to alternative exemplary embodiments, the electrical wiringdevice 120 can include other types of electrical wiring devicesincluding, but not limited to, a switch wiring device, a TVSS wiringdevice, a GFCI wiring device, a thermostat wiring device, a timer wiringdevice, and a sensor wiring device, in lieu of the receptacle wiringdevice without departing from the scope and spirit of the exemplaryembodiment.

The electrical wiring device 120 includes a body 122, a strap element130, and a cover 135. The body 122 includes one or more openings 124along the body's 122 rear side 123 and is configured to house one ormore device contacts 710, 712, and 714 (FIG. 7). The exemplaryembodiment shown is a three-wire system that includes a device groundcontact 714, a device hot contact 710, and a device neutral contact 712.However, people having ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatdifferent wire systems, either greater than a three-wire system or lessthan a three-wire system, can be used. For example, a two wire systemcan be used. In another example, a five-wire system that uses athree-phase system also can be used. Additionally the one or moreopenings 124 can be positioned along the body's 122 side surfaceswithout departing from the scope and spirit of the exemplary embodiment.

The openings 124 are configured to allow one or more device electricalwires 140, 142, and 144 to proceed from the device contacts 710, 712,and 714 to the exterior of the electrical wiring device 120. In thisexemplary embodiment, the device hot electrical wire 140 has a blackcolored coating surrounding the wire 140 and is coupled at one end tothe device hot contact 712 and at the other end to the external plug150. The device hot electrical wire 140 proceeds through one of theopenings 124. The device neutral electrical wire 142 has a white coloredcoating surrounding the wire 142 and is coupled at one end to the deviceneutral contact 714 and at the other end to the external plug 150. Thedevice neutral electrical wire 142 proceeds through one of the openings124. The device ground electrical wire 144 has a green colored coatingsurrounding the wire 144 and is coupled at one end to the device groundcontact 816 and at the other end to the external plug 150. The deviceground electrical wire 144 proceeds through one of the openings 124. Thecolor of the coatings for each of devices electrical wires 140, 142, and144 can be changed to any other color so long as the electrical coderequirements are maintained. Additionally, although the exemplaryembodiment has each of the device electrical wires 140, 142, and 144going through a separate and distinct opening 124, each of the deviceelectrical wires 140, 142, and 144 can be grouped together so that theyall proceed through a single opening 124. In those embodiments, thedevice electrical wires 140, 142, and 144 can be grouped together sothat they are contained within a single conduit (not shown).

The device electrical wires 140, 142, and 144 are twelve American WireGage (AWG), but can be any other gage suitable to the applicationrequirements without departing from the scope and spirit of theexemplary embodiment. The device electrical wires 140, 142, and 144 arefabricated from either solid copper wire, stranded copper wire, or anyother suitable material known to people having ordinary skill in theart. The device electrical wires 140, 142, and 144 are coupled to theirrespective device contact by any method including, but not limited to,soldering that is known to people having ordinary skill in the art.Further, the device electrical wires 140, 142, and 144 have a lengththat is greater than zero inches, but less than six inches so that theoccupied volume within the device box 790 (FIG. 7) is minimized.However, according to alternate exemplary embodiments, the length ofdevice electrical wires 140, 142, and 144 can be greater than six incheswithout departing from the scope and spirit of the exemplary embodiment.

The body 122 includes an insulated door 126 positioned along one of itsside surface. The insulated door 126 is configured to be rotationallyopened and closed so that it provides access to conductive devicecontacts 710, 712, and 714 positioned on the body's 120 side surface.The insulated door 126 provides an insulative barrier to protect a userfrom the conductive device contacts 710, 712, and 714 when in its closedposition. The insulated door 126 also provides a barrier to protect theconductive device contacts 710, 712, and 714 from nearby dust andsheetrock powder when in its closed position. According to alternativeexemplary embodiments, the insulated door 126 can be a sliding doorwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the exemplary embodiment.

The body 122 is substantially rectangular in shape; however, the body122 can be formed in any geometric shape without departing from thescope and spirit of the exemplary embodiment. The body 122 is fabricatedusing materials such as polymers, polycarbonates, nylon materials, orany other suitable material known to people having ordinary skill in theart.

The strap element 130 is coupled to the body 122 and extends above thetop side of the electrical wiring device 120 and below the bottom sideof the electrical wiring device 120. The strap element 130 is used forat least mounting the modular electrical wiring device 110 to a devicebox 790. According to some exemplary embodiments, the strap element 130is fabricated as a single component; however, in other exemplaryembodiments, the strap element 130 is fabricated in multiple componentsand thereafter coupled to the electrical wiring device 120. The strapelement 130 has a screw opening 132 at each end for receiving screws133, which thereby facilitates the coupling of the modular electricalwiring device 110 to the device box 790. The strap element 130 isfabricated using a copper alloy, plated steel, or any other suitablematerial known to people having ordinary skill in the art.

The cover 135 is coupled to the body 122 at its front side. According tothis exemplary embodiment, the cover 135 includes receptacle openings137 configured for receiving a load plug (not shown) and hence providingpower to a load (not shown). The load plug is configured to beelectrically coupled with the device contacts 710, 712, and 714 wheninserted into the receptacle openings 137. However, alternate exemplaryembodiments can have different types of covers depending on the type ofelectrical wiring device 120. The cover 135 is fabricated usingmaterials such as polymers, polycarbonates, nylon materials, or anyother suitable material known to people having ordinary skill in theart.

The external plug 150 is located external to the electrical wiringdevice 120 but is electrically coupled to the device contacts 710, 712,and 714 positioned on or within the electrical wiring device 120. Theexternal plug 150 is configured to be coupled with the connector 160.The external plug 150 includes a latch 152 that makes an audible soundonce the external plug 150 is properly coupled to the connector 160. Aspreviously described, the device hot electrical wire 140 is coupled atone end to the device hot contact 710 and at the other end to theexternal plug 150. The device neutral electrical wire 142 is coupled atone end to the device neutral contact 712 and at the other end to theexternal plug 150. The device ground electrical wire 144 is coupled atone end to the device ground contact 714 and at the other end to theexternal plug 150. The coupling of the device electrical wires 140, 142,and 144 to the external plug 150 will be described in further detailwith respect to FIG. 3. The external plug 150 is fabricated usingmaterials such as polymers, polycarbonates, nylon materials, or anyother suitable material known to people having ordinary skill in theart.

The connector 160 is configured to be coupled with the external plug150. A connector hot electrical wire 162 has a black colored coatingsurrounding the wire 162 and is coupled at one end to a building hotelectrical wire 791 (FIG. 7) and at the other end to the connector 160.A connector neutral electrical wire 164 has a white colored coatingsurrounding the wire 164 and is coupled at one end to the buildingneutral electrical wire 792 (FIG. 7) and at the other end to theconnector 160. A connector ground electrical wire 166 has a greencolored coating surrounding the wire 166 and is coupled at one end tothe building ground electrical wire 793 (FIG. 7) and at the other end tothe connector 160. The coupling of the connector electrical wires 162,164, and 166 to the connector 160 will be described in further detailwith respect to FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B. The coupling of the connectorelectrical wires 162, 164, and 166 to the building electrical wires 791,792, and 793 will be described in further detail with respect to FIG. 7.

The connector 160 is fabricated using materials such as polymers,polycarbonates, nylon materials, or any other suitable material known topeople having ordinary skill in the art. Further, the connectorelectrical wires 162, 164, and 166 have a length that is greater thanzero inches, but less than six inches. However, according to alternateexemplary embodiments, the length of connector electrical wires 162,164, and 166 can be greater than six inches without departing from thescope and spirit of the exemplary embodiment. Moreover, the connectorelectrical wires 162, 164, and 166 are twelve AWG, but can be any othergage suitable to the application requirements without departing from thescope and spirit of the exemplary embodiment. The connector electricalwires 162, 164, and 166 are fabricated from either solid copper wire,stranded copper wire, or any other suitable material known to peoplehaving ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the external plug 150 and the connector160 of FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.Referring to FIG. 3, the device hot electrical wire 140, the deviceneutral electrical wire 142, and the device ground electrical wire 144are coupled to the external plug 150 at one end and the external plug150 is configured to be coupled to the connector 160 at its opposingend. Similarly, the connector hot electrical wire 162, the connectorneutral electrical wire 164, and the connector ground electrical wire166 are coupled to the connector 160 at one end and the connector 160 isconfigured to be coupled to the external plug 150 at its opposing end.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the external plug 150 housesthree male contacts 310, 312, and 314, wherein each male contact 310,312, and 314 is accessible through a respective male contact opening320, 322, and 324. In this exemplary embodiment, the male contacts 310,312, and 314 are disposed substantially horizontally with respect to thewidth of the external plug 150. However, in alternative exemplaryembodiments, the male contacts 310, 312, and 314 can be disposed at asubstantially ninety degree angle with respect to the width of theexternal plug 150 or at any angle between zero degrees and 180 degrees.The hot plug contact 310 is a blade contact and is electrically coupledto the device hot electrical wire 140. The neutral plug contact 312 alsois a blade contact and is electrically coupled to the device neutralelectrical wire 142. The ground plug contact 314 also is a blade contactand is electrically coupled to the device ground electrical wire 144.The male contacts 310, 312, and 314 can be electrically coupled to thedevice electrical wires 140, 142, and 144 using a screw clamp method,which is illustrated with respect to FIG. 4A, a wire push-in clampingmethod, which is illustrated with respect to FIG. 4B, or any othermethod known to people having ordinary skill in the art. The externalplug 150 has one or more plug markings 330, 332, and 334 on its exteriorsurface to indicate which device electrical wire 140, 142, and 144should be electrically coupled to which male contact 310, 312, and 314.According to one example, an “H” plug marking 330 is used to designatethe hot plug contact 310, a “W” plug marking 332 is used to designatethe neutral plug contact 312, and a ground plug marking 334 is used todesignate the ground plug contact 314. These plug markings 330, 332, and334 also assist a user to determine the orientation of how the externalplug 150 is to be coupled to the connector 160. Although one example hasbeen provided for the plug markings, the plug markings can include, butis not limited to, any letter(s), any word(s), or any symbol(s) withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the exemplary embodiment.

The hot plug contact 310 is accessible through the hot male contactopening 320. The neutral plug contact 312 is accessible through theneutral male contact opening 322. The ground plug contact 314 isaccessible through the ground male contact opening 324. As previouslymentioned, the latch 152 is configured to produce an audible signal oncethe external plug 150 is properly coupled to the connector 160.Additionally, a user can visibly determine that the external plug 150and the connector 160 are properly coupled to one another. Although thelatch 152 is used for providing a signal to indicate a properly coupledexternal plug 150 and connector 160, other devices capable of producingan audible and/or visible signal, for example, a light indicator on theelectrical wiring device's 120 cover 135, can be used in conjunctionwith the latch 152 or in lieu of the latch 152 without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the exemplary embodiment. Although threecontacts 310, 312, and 314 are illustrated within the external plug 150,greater or fewer contacts can be used without departing from the scopeand spirit of the exemplary embodiment.

The connector 160 houses three female contacts 405 (FIG. 4A). Each ofthe female contacts 405 is housed at least partially within a respectiveconnector protrusion 350, 352, and 354 located at the end of theconnector 160 which is configured to be coupled with the external plug150. The female contacts 405 are further described with respect to FIGS.4A and 4B. The hot connector contact (not shown) is one of the femalecontacts and is electrically coupled to the connector hot electricalwire 162. The neutral connector contact 405 is one of the other femalecontacts and is electrically coupled to the connector neutral electricalwire 164. The ground connector contact (not shown) is the remainingfemale contact and is electrically coupled to the connector groundelectrical wire 166. The female contacts 405 can be coupled to theconnector electrical wires 162, 164, and 166 using a screw clamp method,which is illustrated with respect to FIG. 4A, a wire push-in clampingmethod, which is illustrated with respect to FIG. 4B, or any othermethod known to people having ordinary skill in the art. The connector160 has one or more connector markings 380, 382, and 384 on its exteriorsurface to indicate which connector electrical wire 162, 164, and 166should be electrically coupled to which female contact 405. According toone example, an “H” connector marking 380 is used to designate the hotconnector contact, a “W” connector marking 382 is used to designate theneutral connector contact 405, and a ground connector marking 384 isused to designate the ground connector contact. These connector markings380, 382, and 384 also assist a user to determine the orientation of howthe connector 160 is to be coupled to the external plug 150. Althoughone example has been provided for the connector markings, the connectormarkings can include, but is not limited to, any letter(s), any word(s),or any symbol(s) without departing from the scope and spirit of theexemplary embodiment. For example, markings may include references forline, load, traveler, in, and out depending on the electrical device andits intended use

The hot connector contact is accessible through a hot female contactopening 360, which is disposed at one end of the hot contact connectorprotrusion 350. The neutral connector contact 405 is accessible througha neutral female contact opening 362, which is disposed at one end ofthe neutral contact connector protrusion 352. The ground connectorcontact is accessible through a ground female contact opening 364, whichis disposed at one end of the ground contact connector protrusion 354.Although three contacts are described within the connector 160, greateror fewer contacts can be used without departing from the scope andspirit of the exemplary embodiment.

The hot contact connector protrusion 350 is configured to be insertedwithin the hot male contact opening 320. Once inserted the hot plugcontact 310 is electrically coupled to the hot connector contact. Theneutral contact connector protrusion 352 is configured to be insertedwithin the neutral male contact opening 322. Once inserted the neutralplug contact 312 is electrically coupled to the neutral connectorcontact 405. The ground contact connector protrusion 354 is configuredto be inserted within the ground male contact opening 324. Once insertedthe ground plug contact 314 is electrically coupled to the groundconnector contact. The connector protrusions 350, 352, and 354 and themale contact openings 320, 322, and 324 are keyed in such a manner toallow the hot contact connector protrusion 350 to be inserted onlywithin the hot male contact opening 320, the neutral contact connectorprotrusion 352 to be inserted only within the neutral male contactopening 322, and the ground contact connector protrusion 354 to beinserted only within the ground male contact opening 324. One or morechamfers 390 and/or notches 392 are used to appropriately key theconnector protrusions 350, 352, and 354 and the male contact openings320, 322, and 324 so that the connector 160 is configured to be coupledto the external plug 150 in a single orientation.

Although the external plug 150 has been described to include malecontacts 310, 312, and 314 and the connector 160 has been described toinclude female contacts 405, the external plug 150 can have femalecontacts and the connector 160 can have male contacts without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the exemplary embodiment. Alternatively,the external plug 150 can have a combination of male and female contactsand the connector 160 can have a combination of male and femalecontacts, so long as each of the contacts in the external plug 150 iscomplementary to each of the contacts of the connector 160.

While the exemplary embodiment of Figure three describes the externalplug having three male contacts and three male contact openings and theconnector having three female contacts and three connector protrusions,those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the external plug andthe connector are capable of being modified to include a fewer orgreater number of contacts, contact openings and connector protrusions.For example, the number of contacts, contact openings and connectorprotrusions can range from one to twenty, based on the use of theelectrical wiring device and the electrical system. One such example isa thermostat, which can include anywhere between three and ten wires,and as such, the external plug can have between three and ten malecontacts and openings and the connector can have between three and tenfemale contacts and protrusions. In one exemplary embodiment, theelectrical wiring device is a single-pole switch or timer that includesa line, load, and ground instead of a hot, neutral, and ground. Thesingle-pole switch is coupled by a line wire, a load wire and a groundwire to the external plug. The external plug includes three openings andthree male contacts: a line contact, a load contact, and a groundcontact. The connector includes three protrusions and three femalecontacts: a connector line contact, a connector load contact and aconnector ground contact.

In another exemplary embodiment, the electrical wiring device is a 3-wayswitch that includes a hot, two travelers, and a ground. The 3-wayswitch is coupled by a hot wire, a first traveler wire, a secondtraveler wire and a ground wire to the external plug. The external plugincludes four openings and four male contacts: a hot contact, a firsttraveler contact, a second traveler contact, and a ground contact. Theconnector includes four protrusions and four female contacts: a hotconnector contact, a first traveler connector contact, a second travelerconnector contact, and a ground connector contact.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the electrical wiring device is a4-way switch that includes a first in, a second in, a first out, asecond out and a ground. The 4-way switch is coupled by a first in wire,a second in wire, a first out wire, a second out wire and a ground wireto the external plug. The external plug includes five openings and fivemale contacts: a first in contact, a second in contact, a first outcontact, a second out contact, and a ground contact. The connectorincludes five protrusions and five female contacts: a connector first incontact, a connector second in contact, a connector first out contact, aconnector second out contact, and a connector ground contact.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the connector 160 illustrating ascrew clamp method 400 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4A, the screw clamp method 400 is illustratedand described with respect to the neutral connector contact 405 and theconnector neutral electrical wire 164. However, the screw clamp method400 can be used with respect to each of the remaining contacts usedwithin the connector 160 and/or the external plug 150.

The neutral connector contact 405 is disposed within the connector 160and extends a substantial portion of the connector's 160 length. At oneend of the neutral connector contact 405 is a three-prong female portion407 which is configured to receive the external plug's 150 neutral plugcontact 312. At the opposing end of the neutral connector contact 405 isan L-shaped portion 408 which is integrally formed with the three-prongfemale portion 407. The L-shaped portion 408 is configured to limit thelength of connector neutral electrical wire 164 that is inserted withinthe connector 160. The L-shaped portion 408 also is configured toreceive a screw 410 so that the connector neutral electrical wire 164can be securely coupled to the L-shaped portion 408 and be electricallycoupled to the three-prong female portion 407.

The screw 410 is accessible through a screw opening 414 using ascrewdriver or other similar tool. The screw 410 is rotated in onedirection to increase the volume of a connector wire cavity 412. Astripped portion of the connector neutral electrical wire 164 isinserted within the connector wire cavity 412. The screw 410 is rotatedin an opposite direction to clamp the L-shaped portion 408 to theconnector neutral electrical wire 164; thereby reducing the volume ofthe connector wire cavity 412 and ensuring a secure electrical couplingbetween the connector neutral electrical wire 164 and the neutralconnector contact 405. According to some exemplary embodiments, a screwcover 420 is coupled to the connector 160 and is configured to cover thescrew opening 414 so that there is no exposed conductive surface, forexample, the screw head. According to the exemplary embodiment, thescrew cover 420 is non-removably coupled to the connector 160. The screwcover 420 is fabricated from a polymer material or any other insulatingmaterial known to people having ordinary skill in the art. Although onetype of screw cover 420 has been illustrated and described, other typesof screw covers can be used without departing from the scope and spiritof the exemplary embodiment. Additionally, although one form of thescrew clamp method 400 is described and illustrated, other forms of thescrew clamp method 400 known to people having ordinary skill in the artcan be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the connector 160 illustrating awire push-in clamping method 450 in accordance with another exemplaryembodiment. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4B, the wire push-in clampingmethod 450 is illustrated and described with respect to the neutralconnector contact 455 and the connector neutral electrical wire 164.However, the wire push-in clamping method 450 can be used with respectto each of the remaining contacts used within the connector 160 and/orthe external plug 150.

The neutral connector contact 455 is disposed within the connector 160and extends a substantial portion of the connector's 160 length. At oneend of the neutral connector contact 455 is a three-prong female portion457 which is configured to receive the external plug's 150 neutral plugcontact 312. At the opposing end of the neutral connector contact 455 isan L-shaped portion 458 which is integrally formed with the three-prongfemale portion 457. The L-shaped portion 458 is formed having an acuteangle between the legs of the L-shaped portion 458.

A fastening clip 460 is disposed within the connector 160 above theL-shaped portion 458. According to this exemplary embodiment, thefastening clip 460 is S-shaped; however, other geometric ornon-geometric shapes can be used for the fastening clip withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the exemplary embodiment. Thefastening clip 460 is configured for clamping the connector neutralelectrical wire 164 to the neutral connector contact 455 and forsecuring the connector neutral electrical wire 164 within the connector160 so that the connector neutral electrical wire 164 is notunintentionally removed from the connector 160. Thus, once the connectorneutral electrical wire 164 is coupled to the L-shaped portion 458, theconnector neutral electrical wire 164 also is electrically coupled tothe three-prong female portion 457.

A stripped portion of the connector neutral electrical wire 164 isinserted into the connector 160 between the L-shaped portion 458 and thefastening clip 460. The fastening clip 460 is configured to allow theconnector neutral electrical wire 164 to be easily inserted but isconfigured to provide added friction when the connector neutralelectrical wire 164 is attempted to be removed. Although one form of thewire push-in clamping method 450 is described and illustrated, otherforms of the wire push-in clamping method 450 known to people havingordinary skill in the art can be used without departing from the scopeand spirit of the exemplary embodiment. It also is envisioned that acombination of the screw clamp method 400 and the wire push-in clampingmethod 450 can be used to couple the electrical wires to the contactswithin either the connector 160 and/or the external plug 150.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a feed-through connector 500 inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, thehot connector contact 510, the neutral connector contact 512, and theground connector contact 514 are electrically coupled to the connectorhot electrical wire 162, the connector neutral electrical wire 164, andthe connector ground electrical wire 166, respectively, at one end usingthe screw clamp method 400 illustrated in FIG. 4A. According toalternative exemplary embodiments, the wire push-in clamping method 450can be used either alone or in combination with the screw clamp method400. The opposing ends of each of the connector hot electrical wire 162,the connector neutral electrical wire 164, and the connector groundelectrical wire 166 are electrically coupled to the proper buildingelectrical wires 791, 792, and 793. The feed-through connector 500 alsoelectrically terminates one end of a feed-through hot electrical wire540 to the hot connector contact 510, one end of a feed-through neutralelectrical wire 542 to the neutral connector contact 512, and one end ofa feed-through ground electrical wire 544 to the ground connectorcontact 514. The opposing ends of each of the feed-through hotelectrical wire 540, the feed-through neutral electrical wire 542, andthe feed-through ground electrical wire 544 are electrically coupled tothe appropriate contacts of a downstream electrical wiring device (notshown), thereby creating a daisy-chain for providing power to multipleelectrical wiring devices that are oriented in series. According to theexemplary embodiment, the external plug for one of the electrical wiringdevices can be disconnected from its respective connector withoutdisrupting the power supply to any of the remaining electrical wiringdevices that are positioned on the daisy-chain configuration. Thisfeature is accomplished because the feed-through connection occurs onthe connector and remains connected when the external plug is removedfrom the connector. In some exemplary embodiments, a second connectorground electrical wire 550 is coupled to the ground connector contact514 using a crimp 552.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an external plug 600 and a connector 650in accordance with another exemplary embodiment. The external plug 600and the connector 650 are similar to the external plug 150 and theconnector 160 of FIG. 3, except for the orientation of the male contacts610, 612, and 614 and the male contact openings 620, 622, and 624 of theexternal plug 600 and the orientation of the female contacts (not shown)and the connector protrusions 660, 662, and 664 of the connector 650.Referring to FIG. 6, the male contacts 610, 612, and 614 and the malecontact openings 620, 622, and 624 are disposed substantially verticallywith respect to the width of the external plug 600. Similarly, thefemale contacts (not shown) and the connector protrusions 660, 662, and664 are disposed substantially vertically with respect to the width ofthe connector 650. The connector protrusions 660, 662, and 664 areconfigured to be received within male contact openings 620, 622, and624. Also, the male contacts 610, 612, and 614 are configured to beelectrically coupled to the female contacts. The exemplary embodimentdepicted in FIG. 6 can be used in conjunction with one type ofelectrical wiring device, while the exemplary embodiment depicted inFIG. 3 can be used in conjunction with another type of electrical wiringdevice, thereby preventing the wrong type of electrical wiring device tobe electrically coupled to an improper connector type. For example, thehorizontally oriented protrusions and male contact openings can be usedwith respect to receptacle wiring devices, while vertically orientedprotrusions and male contact openings can be used with respect to switchwiring devices. Additionally, or alternatively, the dimensions of theexternal plug 600 and the connector 650 can be varied depending upon thetype of electrical wiring device that the external plug 600 and theconnector 650 will be used with.

FIG. 7 is a schematic system view illustrating two electricallyinstalled modular electrical wiring devices 110 and 750 in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment. Although one exemplary method has beenillustrated for electrically installing the modular electrical devices110 and 750, other electrical installation methods, for example, using adaisy chain installation, can be used without departing from the scopeand spirit of the exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, the modularelectrical wiring device 110 is electrically coupled to buildingelectrical wires 791, 792, 793 and the modular electrical wiring device750 is electrically coupled to building electrical wires 794, 795, 796.

During the rough-in phase, an electrician runs building electrical wires791, 792, 793, 794, 795, and 796 through conduits 797 and 798 and into adevice box 790. According to one exemplary embodiment, a first buildinghot electrical wire 791, a first building neutral electrical wire 792,and a first building ground electrical wire 793 are run through a firstconduit 797 and into device box 790. The first conduit 797 is coupled tothe device box 790 and is configured to allow the first building hotelectrical wire 791, the first building neutral electrical wire 792, andthe first building ground electrical wire 793 to enter the device box790. Similarly, a second building hot electrical wire 794, a secondbuilding neutral electrical wire 795, and a second building groundelectrical wire 796 are run through a second conduit 798 and into devicebox 790. The second conduit 797 is coupled to the device box 790 and isconfigured to allow the second building hot electrical wire 794, thesecond building neutral electrical wire 795, and the second buildingground electrical wire 796 to enter the device box 790. Although twoconduits 797 and 798 are used to run building electrical wires 791, 792,793, 794, 795, and 796, greater or fewer conduits can be used withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the exemplary embodiment.Additionally, although this exemplary embodiment uses a three-wiresystem, alternate wire systems, for example, a five-wire system and atwo-wire system, can be used without departing from the scope and spiritof the exemplary embodiment.

Also during the rough-in phase, the electrician electrically couples theconnectors 160 and 780 to building electrical wires 791, 792, 793, 794,795, and 796. First connector 160 includes a first connector hotelectrical wire 162, a first connector neutral electrical wire 164, anda first connector ground electrical wire 166. The first connector hotelectrical wire 162, the first connector neutral electrical wire 164,and the first connector ground electrical wire 166 are electricallycoupled to the first connector 160 according to the descriptionsprovided above. The electrician couples the first building hotelectrical wire 791 to the first connector hot electrical wire 162 usinga first wire nut 702. The electrician couples the first building neutralelectrical wire 792 to the first connector neutral electrical wire 164using a second wire nut 704. The electrician couples the first buildingground electrical wire 793 to the first connector ground electrical wire166 using a third wire nut 706.

Second connector 780 includes a second connector hot electrical wire782, a second connector neutral electrical wire 784, and a secondconnector ground electrical wire 786. The second connector hotelectrical wire 782, the second connector neutral electrical wire 784,and the second connector ground electrical wire 786 are electricallycoupled to the second connector 780 according to the descriptionsprovided above. The electrician couples the second building hotelectrical wire 794 to the second connector hot electrical wire 782using a fourth wire nut 708. The electrician couples the second buildingneutral electrical wire 795 to the second connector neutral electricalwire 784 using a fifth wire nut 709. The electrician couples the secondbuilding ground electrical wire 796 to the second connector groundelectrical wire 786 using the third wire nut 706, which was also usedfor coupling the first building ground electrical wire 793 to the firstconnector ground electrical wire 166. According to one exemplaryembodiment, the second building ground electrical wire 796 is routedthrough a screw 799 which is coupled to the device box 790. Thegrounding wiring scheme shown in this exemplary embodiment is one methodfor grounding the ground electrical wires 166, 793, 786, and 796;however, alternate grounding methods can be used without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the exemplary embodiment.

During the trim-out stage, a non-skill electrician can be used tocomplete the installation of the modular electrical wiring devices 110and 750 to lower installation costs and add more convenience to theinstallation process. The first modular electrical wiring device 110includes a first electrical wiring device 120, a first external plug150, and first device electrical wires, which include a first device hotelectrical wire 140, a first device neutral electrical wire 142, and afirst device ground electrical wire 144, electrically coupling the firstelectrical wiring device 120 to the first external plug 150. Thecoupling of the first device electrical wires 140, 142, and 144 from thefirst external plug 150 to the first electrical wiring device 120 hasbeen previously described above. According to one exemplary embodiment,the first electrical wiring device 120 is a receptacle wiring device.

The second modular electrical wiring device 750 includes a secondelectrical wiring device 760, a second external plug 770, and seconddevice electrical wires, which include a second device hot electricalwire 762, a second device neutral electrical wire 764, and a seconddevice ground electrical wire 766, electrically coupling the secondelectrical device 760 to the second external plug 770. The coupling ofthe second device electrical wires 762, 764, and 766 from the secondexternal plug 770 to the second electrical wiring device 760 has beenpreviously described above. According to one exemplary embodiment, thesecond electrical wiring device 760 is a switch wiring device.

The first external plug 150 is coupled to the first connector 160 in amanner where the first device hot electrical wire 140 is electricallycoupled to the first connector hot electrical wire 162, the first deviceneutral electrical wire 142 is electrically coupled to the firstconnector neutral electrical wire 164, and the first device groundelectrical wire 144 is electrically coupled to the first connectorground electrical wire 166. Once the first external plug 150 is properlycoupled to the first connector 160, an audible signal is produced by afirst latch 152, located on the first external plug 150, to notify aninstaller that the coupling is properly completed. As previouslymentioned, the first external plug 150 and the first connector 160 areconfigured so that the first external plug 150 and the first connector160 are coupled in a single orientation. This ensures that the hot wires140 and 162, the neutral wires 142 and 164, and the ground wires 144 and166 are properly electrically coupled to one another.

The second external plug 770 is coupled to the second connector 780 in amanner where the second device hot electrical wire 762 is electricallycoupled to the second connector hot electrical wire 782, the seconddevice neutral electrical wire 764 is electrically coupled to the secondconnector neutral electrical wire 784, and the second device groundelectrical wire 766 is electrically coupled to the second connectorground electrical wire 766. Once the second external plug 770 isproperly coupled to the second connector 780, an audible signal isproduced by a second latch 772, located on the second external plug 770,to notify an installer that the coupling is properly completed. Aspreviously mentioned, the second external plug 770 and the secondconnector 780 are configured so that the second external plug 770 andthe second connector 780 are coupled in a single orientation. Thisensures that the hot wires 762 and 782, the neutral wires 764 and 784,and the ground wires 766 and 786 are properly electrically coupled toone another.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the first connector 160 isuniquely designed according to the type of first modular electricalwiring device 110 that it is to be coupled to. Similarly, the secondconnector 780 is uniquely designed according to the type of secondmodular electrical wiring device 750 that it is to be coupled to. Forexample, the first modular electrical wiring device 110 includes areceptacle wiring device. Thus, according to one example, the firstconnector 160 is designed to have horizontally oriented female contactsand the first external plug 150 is designed to have horizontallyoriented male contacts. According to one exemplary embodiment, the widthof the first external plug 150 is a first width 724 and the width of thefirst connector 160 also is a first width 724. In the same example, thesecond modular electrical wiring device 750 includes a switch wiringdevice. Thus, in one example, the second connector 780 is designed tohave vertically oriented female contacts and the second external plug770 is designed to have vertically oriented male contacts. According toone exemplary embodiment, the width of the second external plug 770 is asecond width 774 and the width of the second connector 780 also is asecond width 774. In certain exemplary embodiments, the first width 724and the second width 774 are not the same.

According to the exemplary embodiment provided above, the firstconnector 160 is coupleable to the first external plug 150, but not thesecond external plug 770. Similarly, the second connector 780 iscoupleable to the second external plug 770, but not the first externalplug 150. This feature allows non-skilled electricians to properlycomplete the trim-out phase without accidentally coupling the modularelectrical wiring device 110 and 750 to an improper connector.

According to some of the exemplary embodiments, skilled electricians nolonger are needed to create pig tails in the device box during thetrim-out phase. Additionally, some of the exemplary embodiments provideproper assurance that electrical wiring device is properly electricallycoupled to the building wires during the trim-out phase and/orsubsequent installations of replacement electrical wiring devices.Further, some of the exemplary embodiments allow electrical wiringdevices to be replaced safely without a user or homeowner having to turnthe power off at the breaker (not shown) because none of the electricalcontacts on the external plug, the connector, or the electrical wiringdevice are exposed. Many homeowners or users are not skilled atselecting the correct breaker or choose not to turn the power off at thebreaker.

Although each exemplary embodiment has been described in detail, it isto be construed that any features and modifications that are applicableto one embodiment are also applicable to the other embodiments. Althoughthe invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments,these descriptions are not meant to be construed in a limiting sense.Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well asalternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent to personsof ordinary skill in the art upon reference to the description of theexemplary embodiments. It should be appreciated by those of ordinaryskill in the art that the conception and the specific embodimentsdisclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designingother structures or methods for carrying out the same purposes of theinvention. It should also be realized by those of ordinary skill in theart that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit andscope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. It istherefore, contemplated that the claims will cover any suchmodifications or embodiments that fall within the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular electrical wiring device, comprising:an electrical wiring device; an external plug; and at least oneelectrical wire comprising a first end and a second end, wherein thefirst end is coupled to the wiring device and the second end is coupledto the external plug to electrically couple the electrical wiring deviceto the external plug; wherein the electrical wires comprise a hotelectrical wire, a neutral electrical wire, and a ground electricalwire; wherein the hot electrical wire is coupled at one end to a hotplug contact and at an opposing end to a device hot contact, wherein theneutral electrical wire is coupled at one end to a neutral plug contactand at an opposing end to a device neutral contact, wherein the groundelectrical wire is coupled at one end to a ground plug contact and at anopposing end to a device ground contact, wherein the hot plug contact,the neutral plug contact, and the ground plug contact are disposedwithin the external plug, and wherein the device hot contact, the deviceneutral contact, and the device ground contact are disposed within theelectrical wiring device.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein theelectrical wiring device is one of a receptacle, a switch, a transientvoltage surge suppressor, a surge protective device, a fan control, adimmer, a ground fault circuit interrupter, a thermostat, a timerdevice, or a sensor.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the external plugcomprises at least one male plug contact.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein the external plug comprises at least one female plug contact. 5.An electrical wiring system, comprising: a modular electrical wiringdevice comprising: an electrical wiring device; an external plug; and atleast one electrical wire comprising a first end and a second end,wherein the first end is coupled to the wiring device and the second endis coupled to the external plug to electrically couple the electricalwiring device to the external plug; and a connector electrically coupledto one or more building electrical wires transmitting power from a powersource, the connector also electrically coupled to the electrical wiringdevice through physical coupling with the external plug; wherein theconnector comprises a connector hot electrical wire, a connector neutralelectrical wire, and a connector ground electrical wire, and wherein thebuilding electrical wires comprise a building hot electrical wire, abuilding neutral electrical wire, and a building ground electrical wire,wherein the connector hot electrical wire is coupled at one end to aconnector hot contact and at an opposing end to the building hotelectrical wire, wherein the connector neutral electrical wire iscoupled at one end to a connector neutral contact and at an opposing endto the building neutral electrical wire, wherein the connector groundelectrical wire is coupled at one end to a connector ground contact andat an opposing end to the building ground electrical wire, and whereinthe connector hot contact, the connector neutral contact, and theconnector ground contact are disposed at the connector.
 6. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the external plug comprises at least one male plugcontact and the connector comprises at least one female connectorcontact.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the external plug comprisesat least one female plug contact and the connector comprises at leastone male connector contact.
 8. The system of claim 5, wherein a signalis generated indicating electrical coupling between the external plugand the connector.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the signal is anaudible signal.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the signal is avisual signal.
 11. The system of claim 5, wherein the device electricalwires comprise a hot electrical wire, a neutral electrical wire, and aground electrical wire, wherein the hot electrical wire is coupled atone end to a hot plug contact and at an opposing end to a device hotcontact, wherein the neutral electrical wire is coupled at one end to aneutral plug contact and at an opposing end to a device neutral contact,wherein the ground electrical wire is coupled at one end to a groundplug contact and at an opposing end to a device ground contact, whereinthe hot plug contact, the neutral plug contact, and the ground plugcontact are disposed at the external plug, wherein the device hotcontact, the device ground contact, and the device ground contact aredisposed at the electrical wiring device, and wherein when the connectoris physically coupled to the external plug, the connector hot contact iselectrically coupled to the hot plug contact, the connector neutralcontact is electrically coupled to the neutral plug contact, and theconnector ground contact is electrically coupled to the ground plugcontact.
 12. The electrical wiring system of claim 11, wherein theconnector is coupleable to the external plug in only one orientation.13. The system of claim 5, wherein the connector is a feed-throughconnector, the feed-through connector comprising at least onefeed-through electrical wire, wherein one end of the feed-throughelectrical wire is electrically coupled to the feed-through connectorand the opposing end of the feed through electrical wire is electricallycoupled to a second electrical wiring device.
 14. A modular electricalwiring device, comprising: an electrical wiring device; an externalplug; and at least one electrical wire comprising a first end and asecond end, wherein the first end is coupled to the wiring device andthe second end is coupled to the external plug to electrically couplethe electrical wiring device to the external plug; wherein theelectrical wires comprise a line electrical wire, a load electricalwire, and a ground electrical wire; wherein the line electrical wire iscoupled at one end to a line plug contact and at an opposing end to adevice line contact, wherein the load electrical wire is coupled at oneend to a load plug contact and at an opposing end to a device loadcontact, wherein the ground electrical wire is coupled at one end to aground plug contact and at an opposing end to a device ground contact,wherein the line plug contact, the load plug contact, and the groundplug contact are disposed at the external plug, and wherein the deviceline contact, the device load contact, and the device ground contact aredisposed at the electrical wiring device.
 15. A modular electricalwiring device, comprising: an electrical wiring device; an externalplug; and at least one electrical wire comprising a first end and asecond end, wherein the first end is coupled to the wiring device andthe second end is coupled to the external plug to electrically couplethe electrical wiring device to the external plug; wherein theelectrical wires comprise a hot electrical wire, a first travelerelectrical wire, a second traveler electrical wire, and a groundelectrical wire; wherein the hot electrical wire is coupled at one endto a hot plug contact and at an opposing end to a device hot contact,wherein the first traveler electrical wire is coupled at one end to afirst traveler plug contact and at an opposing end to a device firsttraveler contact, wherein the second traveler electrical wire is coupledat one end to a second traveler plug contact and at an opposing end to adevice second traveler contact, wherein the ground electrical wire iscoupled at one end to a ground plug contact and at an opposing end to adevice ground contact, wherein the hot plug contact, the first travelerplug contact, second traveler plug contact, and the ground plug contactare disposed at the external plug, and wherein the device hot contact,the device first traveler contact, the device second traveler contact,and the device ground contact are disposed at the electrical wiringdevice.
 16. A modular electrical wiring device, comprising: anelectrical wiring device; an external plug; and at least one electricalwire comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end iscoupled to the wiring device and the second end is coupled to theexternal plug to electrically couple the electrical wiring device to theexternal plug; wherein the electrical wiring device comprises a four-wayswitch, wherein the external plug comprises at least five contacts,wherein electrical wires comprise a first in electrical wire, a secondin electrical wire, a first out electrical wire, a second out electricalwire, and a ground electrical wire; wherein the first in electrical wireis coupled at one end to a first in plug contact and at an opposing endto a device first in contact, wherein the second in electrical wire iscoupled at one end to a second in plug contact and at an opposing end toa device second in contact, wherein the first out electrical wire iscoupled at one end to a first out plug contact and at an opposing end toa device first out contact, wherein the second traveler electrical wireis coupled at one end to a second out plug contact and at an opposingend to a device second out contact, wherein the ground electrical wireis coupled at one end to a ground plug contact and at an opposing end toa device ground contact, wherein the first in plug contact, second inplug contact, first out plug contact, second out plug contact, andground plug contact are disposed at the external plug, and wherein thedevice first in contact, device second in contact, device first outcontact, device second out contact, and device ground contact aredisposed at the electrical wiring device.
 17. An electrical wiringsystem, comprising: a modular electrical wiring device comprising: anelectrical wiring device; an external plug; and at least one electricalwire comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end iscoupled to the wiring device and the second end is coupled to theexternal plug to electrically couple the electrical wiring device to theexternal plug; and a connector electrically coupled to one or morebuilding electrical wires transmitting power from a power source, theconnector also electrically coupled to the electrical wiring devicethrough physical coupling with the external plug; wherein the electricalwires comprise a line electrical wire, a load electrical wire, and aground electrical wire; wherein the line electrical wire is coupled atone end to a line plug contact and at an opposing end to a device linecontact, wherein the load electrical wire is coupled at one end to aload plug contact and at an opposing end to a device load contact,wherein the ground electrical wire is coupled at one end to a groundplug contact and at an opposing end to a device ground contact, whereinthe line plug contact, the load plug contact, and the ground plugcontact are disposed at the external plug, wherein the device linecontact, the device load contact, and the device ground contact aredisposed at the electrical wiring device, wherein the connectorcomprises a connector line contact, a connector load contact and aconnector ground contact, and wherein when the connector is physicallycoupled to the external plug, the connector line contact is electricallycoupled to the line plug contact, the connector load contact iselectrically coupled to the load plug contact, and the connector groundcontact is electrically coupled to the ground plug contact.
 18. Anelectrical wiring system, comprising: a modular electrical wiring devicecomprising: an electrical wiring device; an external plug; and at leastone electrical wire comprising a first end and a second end, wherein thefirst end is coupled to the wiring device and the second end is coupledto the external plug to electrically couple the electrical wiring deviceto the external plug; and a connector electrically coupled to one ormore building electrical wires transmitting power from a power source,the connector also electrically coupled to the electrical wiring devicethrough physical coupling with the external plug; wherein the electricalwires comprise a hot electrical wire, a first traveler electrical wire,a second traveler electrical wire, and a ground electrical wire; whereinthe hot electrical wire is coupled at one end to a hot plug contact andat an opposing end to a device hot contact, wherein the first travelerelectrical wire is coupled at one end to a first traveler plug contactand at an opposing end to a device first traveler contact, wherein thesecond traveler electrical wire is coupled at one end to a secondtraveler plug contact and at an opposing end to a device second travelercontact, wherein the ground electrical wire is coupled at one end to aground plug contact and at an opposing end to a device ground contact,wherein the hot plug contact, the first traveler plug contact, secondtraveler plug contact, and the ground plug contact are disposed at theexternal plug, wherein the device hot contact, the device first travelercontact, the device second traveler contact, and the device groundcontact are disposed at the electrical wiring device, wherein theconnector comprises a connector hot contact, a connector first travelercontact, a connector second traveler contact, and a connector groundcontact, and wherein when the connector is physically coupled to theexternal plug, the connector hot contact is electrically coupled to thehot plug contact, the connector first traveler contact is electricallycoupled to the first traveler plug contact, the connector secondtraveler contact is electrically coupled to the second traveler plugcontact, and the connector ground contact is electrically coupled to theground plug contact.
 19. An electrical wiring system, comprising: amodular electrical wiring device comprising: an electrical wiringdevice; an external plug; and at least one electrical wire comprising afirst end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to thewiring device and the second end is coupled to the external plug toelectrically couple the electrical wiring device to the external plug;and a connector electrically coupled to one or more building electricalwires transmitting power from a power source, the connector alsoelectrically coupled to the electrical wiring device through physicalcoupling with the external plug; wherein the electrical wiring devicecomprises a four-way switch, wherein the external plug comprises atleast five contacts, wherein electrical wires comprise a first inelectrical wire, a second in electrical wire, a first out electricalwire, a second out electrical wire, and a ground electrical wire;wherein the first in electrical wire is coupled at one end to a first inplug contact and at an opposing end to a device first in contact,wherein the second in electrical wire is coupled at one end to a secondin plug contact and at an opposing end to a device second in contact,wherein the first out electrical wire is coupled at one end to a firstout plug contact and at an opposing end to a device first out contact,wherein the second traveler electrical wire is coupled at one end to asecond out plug contact and at an opposing end to a device second outcontact, wherein the ground electrical wire is coupled at one end to aground plug contact and at an opposing end to a device ground contact,wherein the first in plug contact, second in plug contact, first outplug contact, second out plug contact, and ground plug contact aredisposed at the external plug, wherein the device first in contact,device second in contact, device first out contact, device second outcontact, and device ground contact are disposed at the electrical wiringdevice, wherein the connector comprises a connector first in contact, aconnector second in contact, a connector first out contact, a connectorsecond out contact, and a connector ground contact, and wherein when theconnector is physically coupled to the external plug, the connectorfirst in contact is electrically coupled to the first in plug contact,the connector second in contact is electrically coupled to the second inplug contact, the connector first out contact is electrically coupled tothe first out plug contact, the connector second out contact iselectrically coupled to the second out plug contact, and the connectorground contact is electrically coupled to the ground plug contact.